"For all the investment of time and resources...we will not achieve the outcomes we expect and need without comprehensive professional learning for educators.... ~ Stephanie Hirsch, Ed Week 2/01/12
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I believe that in the classroom we are directly impacted by decisions made by state boards such as the Standards Board. Before I was on the board, I always wondered who made such decisions that impacted me in the classroom. Learning about the board and becoming a member has broadened my vision of education to a new level. I would want teachers to know the depth of preparation, discussion, and study that goes into making each decision on the board. I would also want teachers to know how powerful their voice and experience truly is. When we have testimonials from educators, it directly offers us the insight we need to make the best decisions for students that we can make. I would love to see every educator attend at least one board meeting to see the work that takes place in order to improve student learning. It is excellent professional development.
I believe the recent legislative session has offered the Standards Board the opportunity to make a positive impact on student learning by encouraging more practicing professionals to participate on the board, and to develop the continuum of professional development for educators. I believe the role is ensure that every child has a classroom with a professional who has the skill set to make a positive impact on student learning and a growth plan to continue to master the skill and craft of teaching and learning. We continue to strive for balance between creating a standard of excellence and opening the door to allow more opportunities for people to enter the profession. This is a powerful time in our state to move to the next level of excellence. I also hope that there is an increase in collaboration between state boards and higher education in the future. Success is going to depend on having all voices at the table. As a board member I am thrilled at the opportunity to create a powerful and supportive learning environment for both educators and students.
I would like educators to recognize the responsibility that holding a license to teach in our state requires. It seems sometimes like we are perceived as a board that lines up the hoops of red tape for teachers to jump through. We follow state policy and legislative mandates to ensure that we have educators who are prepared for the rigor of education both before and during their career. We do this with great attention to the consequences of our decisions. Every board member listens to a multitude of perspectives and we make the best decision we can make for our students based on data and research. We then work hard to communicate the requirements to educators and support them as they go through the steps of the continuum of professional development. Holding a license to teach is a powerful responsibility that should be handled with great care.
Please get involved! The meetings are scheduled across the state to encourage participation. We also read and respond to every e-mail or letter sent to us. We encourage having the voice of those in the field at all levels. There is a way for all educators to reach out and offer support to ensure that we attract, maintain and support the best pool of educators for our students. I also think it is important to encourage administrators to keep up with PESB action and communicate this to the educators in the district. If your administrator is not keeping up to speed with the changes in teacher certification, please encourage him or her to attend meetings, visit the website, or contact OSPI for support. There are ready made professional development tools on our website that anyone can use to inform a group about changes in certification. We are focused on educating the students of tomorrow which require a new level of skills as educators.
Thank you again for reaching out for my voice! I am happy to help in any way possible.
Shannon Lawson
Adminstrative Coordinator